How to make Traveller more popular with TTRPG players

[shirgall]

The '81 revised edition of CT introduced the great big number 8+ in the combat chapter. I should add that the target number was 8+ for combat in the original 77 rules, but the 81 revision made it big and obvious.

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Long before Andy Slack wrote his White Dwarf article our group adopted that as the rule for every standard situational skill saving throw, with DMs for skill level, environmental effects, tools, high or low characteristics. We still changed the target number for certain situations based on raised difficulty,

We ignored that silly DGP unified task system with its task library, and continued to ignore it when MegaTraveller made it officially the Traveller task resolution system.

I am so glad Mongoose adopted the 8+ as the default target number for most things

This is a great point. The "8AC" difficulties and basic DMs are so straightforward it should be easy to depict, explain, and understand.

 

[Micky]

This is a solid point. I used to do book reviews in the genre fiction space. If a review contained constructive criticism, the author was often very open to the feedback. The fan base usually wouldn't react well to anything less than a 5-star review. Even worse if we revisited a beloved "classic" with a modern lens.

I can report, from firsthand experience, that providing honest reviews while trying to grow your online viewers/listeners/readers is challenging, since you often need the product's existing fan base to find you if you don't already have an audience. A good reason most of the bigger online RPG reviewers cover a lot of different products, not just one product line. Seth's Traveller reviews didn't start until after he'd already established a fan base.

It would be a challenge to build a Traveller content channel that is both interesting to established players while also welcoming to new players.

Exactly the point I was trying to make but didn't. The vast majority of authors would be just like musicians were in my experiences. They want constructive criticism. They live for it. Praise is great for the ego but not exactly helpful to help them improve. Mongoose I'm sure would be no different. I'll give a shout out to MongooseChris. I found something in Singularity that was... just flat out wrong man.. a bad canon kind of wrong and felt out of respect I would bring it up privately rather than in open forum and he was extremely receptive and thankful for the input.

These authors are like artists... just with words rather than paint or instruments. They live for feedback, they really do want to put out the best they can do and reviews/feedback help them.

 

[MarcusIII]

I am so glad Mongoose adopted the 8+ as the default target number for most things

This is what I use. 8 IS the basic success number

 

[Sigtrygg]

I mostly use 8+ and 12+, I don't consider the two point gap a sufficient reason to use 10+, I would usually just apply bane instead. And only ever roll dice when I can't just say you succeed or you have no chance.

 

[MarcusIII]

And only ever roll dice when I can't just say you succeed or you have no chance.

Yes, no GM worth their salt has players roll needlessly. Rolls are for special situations

 

[shirgall]

Yes, no GM worth their salt has players roll needlessly. Rolls are for special situations

Indeed, rolls are for when there is both a chance and a consequence of failure or degree of success.

 

[Condottiere]

Boxcars should be automatic success.

 

[MarcusIII]

If a task is even remotely feasible, a natural roll of12 is always a success. If the task isn't at all possible then it fails

 

[shirgall]

Boxcars should be automatic success.

2.87% chance of automatic success? That doesn't roleplay any better than d20 "luck die" 5% rolls. Degree of success is better.

 

[Condottiere]

Drama.

Also, for those times when everything is against the character, but baby needs a pair of Jimmy Choos.

 

[actionman]

They live for feedback, they really do want to put out the best they can do and reviews/feedback help them.

Legitimate critique is so rare. There's nothing worse than "that's nice, what is it?"